Ground Blind Platforms

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Guys got any ideas? I have a bit on the larger side pop up ground blind. It'll fit a 6x6 platform with a few inches on sides. Was thinking building it about 3.5" tall with steps towards the least desireable shooting side.

How tall would you put it up before needing safety rails. One place is on a knoll, so that'll be pretty much ground height. The other is a swamp overlook, that would appreciate some hieight.

This would be for guys to use as well as me. So, I would want to make it fit most pop up blinds out there. Some guys get a bit dumb out there too, so I don't want them getting hurt. I also prep my sites for safety. Remove rocks, lumps, stumps, incase someone falls.

I got leftover pressure treated decking I will be using. Debating the floor spacing. Don't want too much air leaks, don't want it to rot early either.

Also, any prefered inexpensive way of treating the wood well. I have used diesel / motor oil mix on the ground contact posts in the past. Doesn't bother cirtter after a few months. But, don't want to step on it with the hunting boots.

 

[RGrizzzz]

My cousin bought a 5' high Muddy brand blind platform for around $250. Seems decent for what it is. Bottom entrance, if that's your thing. Could probably use some carpet/rubber flooring to help with the wind. Easy enough to move around as it's not crazy heavy.

 

[Electrodigical]

Almost made a post a couple days ago about the same thing. Debating models, debating buying or building. Then I remembered the spot I want to put it isn't a good one, so time and money would be better spent making it so.

 

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I lease my land with a couple of guys, well in this case overgrown children. We can have only so much square footage of buildings in the spot. Loggers don't care, land company don't reall care either, we get DEC inspections once or twice a year. Adirondack forever wild stuff. I do see some camps have permant blinds built. Just thinking a platform to put a pop up blind wont be anybodies bother.

Would love a permant box blind. I am trying to coax my wife's cousin into making one at my brother in laws farm about 20 minutes away. The oldest lazy kid can go out some more. He hunts a few times a year at his girlfriends place. Not sure who's paying the taxes over there, if anybody. He thinks his days there are numbered.

Electro, you cut down some more trees and scape that ground a bit more, you can have a bonifide doe factory.

 

[Tree Spud]

I built a raised platform for a ground blind. I put it up 5' as was glad I did. At that height, it concealed most of my movement inside of the blind, and was able to have a good shot angle for my bow.

 

[SD51555]

I’m a big fan of dirt piles at that height. Dirt is free not counting moving it. No squeaking, no rot, can pee on it. Only downfall is you can’t easily move it, so you better love that spot.


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So, what are your pop up blind sizes? Think 6x6 is enough for the average blind. Debating leaving the blind up for a few weeks or not.

 

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electro,

Alot of what you do depnds on what you want. Far as economics go, the amount of free material has en effect. At this stage in the game, I am more into having a good time, being comofrtable, and enjoying my day over maximum success. I have no problems filling hte freezer with venison, but some folks have challenging properties just doing that.

Before would buy or build on that property, get a spot a bit better established. You wanted to open up that spot. I do that first and then see what the deer do moving in and out of that spot.

I am still debating the trailer idea a bit too. A small moveable box you can hunt from. Not sure if your property and equipment can move something round like that, the fews pics you had didnt look too bad.

Im 47 and tired at the end of the day. Pre fabricting helps. Why drag a 4x8 sheet when you can drag a 4x7 sheet with the window hole already cut. Those lithium battery tools make it much much easier than it used to be.

I got a contractor friend or two that can donate materials. Seen folks use cheap and free stuff. Truck caps, plastic barrels as paneling, car hoods for roofs, Even seen someone use a bunch of the 275 gal totes and made a wide by 2 tall one. Seen a cheap but very nice old school PA dutch style shack with stone and wood. This looked kinda stolen, but saw a hot rodded handicapped portapotty. The homemade one have a bit more character / soul to them in my opinion.

Put a litle insultion on the floor for your feet and some for your back. Carpet and cardboard work in a pinch.

In mature forests, sometimes only going up 6ft or so is better than 20. The brnaches start getting in your way more.

How far away are you from your land?

 

[b116757]

I’m wondering why you would bother fooling with an elevated platform for a pop up blind what’s the main advantage of this your hoping to accomplish?

 

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I actually got the green light to make a small blind. I am still making a platform for another spot.

The place is owned by the NYSDEC, it is on a 100 year lease for logging, currently held by lyme holdings. They are supposed to offer it for public use, so their interpretation of letting the public use it is to lease it out for recreation to clubs. DEC limits the size of buildings, but in all realtiy, they would never see some of these spots.

The guys in my club would be perfect roadies for motley crue. Darn little shack would reek of weed and stale beer cans. I do good at work and cross my fingers when I play the lottery. 600 acres is a bit rich to buy outright. I have been toying around with 100 or so acre lease somewhere and float the bill for the whole family. Might be more around $1500-2000 a year. Lease is around high $6000 a year.

Oddly enough nobody shows up for opening weekend of muzzleloader, or opening week of rifle for the southern zone. So i get the place to myself a few hunts.

 

[Prairie Acres]

I built three of these 6'x8' platforms this summer. They are really easy to build. I used plywood for the deck and a high quality outdoor stain that was on sale from Menards. I built a short rail where the blind opens. The stairs worked just fine but I'm going to reinforce them this spring. I used two t-post on opposite corners to ensure it wouldn't tip over. The blinds are Barronett OX4 which use a little heavier duty material than most blinds. So far no problems with the wind taking them.
Someone asked why an elevated platform...even getting up five feet you can see so much more. It makes sitting in a ground blind more enjoyable for me. It's also a big advantage during the gun hunt.

 

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Looks good. I usually branch camo my creations. Take some old branches and screw them into the wood. IT doesnt seem to bother that guy though.

 

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The pop up stay up there all season? Didn't blow off or anything. Bring a small piece of rug for your feet, keeps them warmer.

One spot is close to the road, that'll be a platform. The spot I am thinking doesn't really need elevation either. On the ground would work great, its on a little knob of a hill.

This is my proposed addition this year. Not sure whether to put the blind in that little swap circle or put it close to the southern log landing where there is 2 apple trees now. Green is foodplot spots I can make, or its a trail that can be a food plot. Yellow is existing ATV trails. Bucks follow that little stream into the little swamp and then go up the big hill there. The little blue dots is a well trample deer path, which doesn't happen too much outside a big funnel area. Gonna drag tires and see what I can make of this spot this upcoming summer. Just rye n clover. Seems to survive mild ATV traffic. The log landing and apple tree spot I am hoping to have a regular treestand there for bow / crossbow hunting. Blind is leaning towards the little swamp / dead end trail right by the big hill.

 

[Prairie Acres]

The pop up stay up there all season?

At least until the end of archery, January 31.

Didn't blow off or anything.

No. In high wind the side of the blind facing the wind might pop in but it's easy just to pop it back out when you go to hunt the blind.

Bring a small piece of rug for your feet, keeps them warmer.

I have cheap moving blankets for flooring. It cuts down on the noise. Blanket goes with me when done hunting or the mice make a mess of it.